Push button switch



' oca. 14, 1941. w. MQFOSTER 2,259,304"

PUSH BUTTON SWITCH original Filed Feb. :5, 1938 v/Mam /Z f'aserINVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 PUSH BUTTON SWITCH William M. Foster, Bronson,Mich., assignor to H. A. Douglas Mfg. Co., Bronson, Mich.,'a corporationof Michigan i Continuation of application SerialNo. 188,445,

February 3, 1931i.v This application March 10, 1941, Serial No. 382,612

(Cl. Zilli-159) 13 claims.

This invention relates generally to switches, and particularly to aswitch that is operable by a reciprocating member, and preferablyadapted for use in connection with automotive vehicles mounting such'asthe instrument panel of an automotive vehicle. The panel is providedwith a circular aperture 2 through which the switch is adapted to beinserted from the front side of the panel. The switch may be heldinrelation to the panel by the locking means generally designated 3,the'details of which will'be described'` for closing a circuit to startthe motor. 5 later.

This application is a continuation of applica- 'I'he switch, in general,includes a cylindrical tion Serial No. 188,445, filed February 3, 1938.tubular metal casing I, a pair Voffplugconductor -One principal objectof the invention is to `terminal receiving means generally designated5design and construct a switch that may be ecoand 6 which are secured to`a switch back nl., nomically manufactured, and assembled on a l Theswitch among other thingsincludes ark pair commercial scale. ofelongated outstanding spring'- contact fingers Another object is toprovide a pair of elongated 8 and 9, which are permanently securedV tothe spring contacts secured to a switch back, an contact means and 6,aswell as,r to the 4switch insulator secured to the back and extendingbeback .7. A bridge member III isadapted to be tween the contacts, and abridge member receivmoved into effective electrical engagement with ingpart of the insulator rwhereby to assist in the spring contacts 8 and 9througlfthe agency guiding the bridge member into elective elecof a pushbutton I I, and a helical springIZ withl trical engagement with'sa'idcontacts. A in the casingis adapted tonormallymaintainthe v Anotherobject of the invention is toprovide' bridge `member Ill out ofelectrical engagement Y van arrangement setfo'rth in the preceding para-2 01with"said contacts. In other words. the spring graph, and includinga washer of insulating ma- I2 `normallynmaintains the pushj button II inan terial and a spring for urging the Washer in a extended position, andautomatically returnssaid Vdirection to lhold the insulator in relationto the button to said position subsequent t0 each inswitch back and thebridge member normally stroke thereof, t out of engagement with saidcontacts. YSaid The forward end extremity I3 of the casing 4 is washeralso serves to prevent any possible short provided with an opening, andtheltubular por lcircuit that might'otherwise occur between the l tionI4 of an outer flange I5 projects through spring and the base portionsof said contacts. said opening, and the integral radial portion I6' AAfurther object is to provide improved bridge 0f the flange iS adapted t0DrOieCtj Within the means which is adapted to electrically engage theCasing ,and engage the extremity |13. A bushing contacts carried by theswitch back. I l is arranged between the lflange l5 and extrem- Manyother objects and advantagesof the inity I3, as Clearly ShOWn in Figure2l Obviously. vention will be obvious to those skilled in the art thebushing Il lS DI'OVlCled Wllfh an Opening 0f after reading thedescription hereinafter set forth f 'Substantially the same diameter asthe opening in conjunction with the drawing annexed hereto. in theextremity |3 0f the SWlDCh Casing in Order In the accompanying drawing:that the tubular portion I4 of the flange I5 may Figure 1 is an enlargedview in elevation, partly pIOjeCt therethrOUgh- The bushing iS of adiamin section, of the switch as applied to a mounting eter 0r Sizewhereby the Same llS snugly Within such as an instrument panel, andincluding a the aperture 2 DIOVlded ln lhefpanel, and said plugconductor terminal; 40 bushing is preferably tapered as indicated at I8,Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on in Order t0 aSSiSt inpiloting the SWiCh into POS- line 2-2 of Figure 1, with the terminalshown tlOrl-v In Order that the flange I5 will bear uniin Figure 1omitted; formly against the front face of the panel I. the Figure 3 is abottom view of the switch with flange is provided With an inturnedportion |9- the terminal omitted; and The push button I I may be of anydesirable Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view .taken design andCOIlSlSrUCed Of any Suitable material, substantially on line 4--4A ofvFigure 2, clearly but as here shownY it is preferably constructedshowing certain details, and particularly the 0f metal, pressed into theform shown, which inmanner in which the elongatedspring contacts cludesan outwardly extending tubular cylindriand the plug conductor receivingmeans are se- Cal extremity 20. and an enlarged tubular cylincuredtogether and to the switch back. drical extremity 2| of a greaterdiameter than Referring to the drawing; I represents a 20. Theseextremities are joined together by a shoulder 22. The extremities 20 and2I of the button are'thus properly guided by the tubular portion I4 ofthe llange I5. and thr` casing 4 9 respectively, and outward movement ofthe push button is predetermined, by the shoulder engaging the radialportion I6 of said flange.

A bridge carrier 23 in the form of a disc of insulating material ismounted Awithin the ex,-

' tremity 2| of the push button and normally engages the shoulder-22m`force the bi'lttcmoiit-l wardlythroughi the agency of spring |2, and lalso guide the bridge into relation with the contacts. 'I'he bridgemember l0 is secured Within a central opening provided therefor in thebridge carrier. Said bridge member is preferably tubular inform, and theextremities Ithereof extend. Its lower beyond the plane of the carrier23. extremity is flared as indicated at 24 in Vorder to properly receivethe spring contacts 8 and 9.

Thel switch back 'l is made of a suitable insulating-material, and isprovided with a plurality of peripheral notches 25 preferably four innumber, and the flat base2|i of the locking means 3 is alsopreferablyprovided with four peripheral notches, w ch cooperate withnotches 25.- The casing I4 'plurality of fingers 21 whichprojectjhl'Qu'gh thesefr-iotche's, and are clinched over against "ithe'lower'fa'ce of the switch back, as

position with respect to the switch back, and are mechanically andelectrically connected to the base 40 of each of the spring contacts 8and 9.

'The base portion 26 of the locking meane 3 is preferably provided witha relatively large substantially rectangular aperture. 4|- in order thatthe base will not engage said contacts to eiectuate a short circuit.

As most clearly shown in Figure 1, the switch back is provided with apair of spaced apart apertures 42, which receive the legs 43 of anelongated insulator 44. The lower extremity of the insulator ispreferably of a size whereby a portion thereof projects above the planeof the base -26 of the locking means 3, and as clearly shown in Figures2 and-.4j extends upwardly between the spring contact members 8 and '9,with its upper extremity normally locatedwithin the tubular bridgemember I0. The insulator is of a width to prevent the contacts 8 and 9from engaging each other, and the upper extremity of theinclealrzseown-'inFigures rand. 3- The, base 261" of thlocking`means'3is vthus held between the 'switch c'asing and the switchback. .-notedfthat the diameter of the switch n ist@ e han he diameterof the bushing i8'.

allyv .designated '5 and 6 is preferably roi/"ide substantially twochannel' por-A b' iarbgdy fsutstanpiaiiy rectanguiar inEacmbedyhasshoulders 30., and

plug conductor j teiminal of the vsnap Y Figure 1." A d `=.te'n i{meansV 32 is slidablyy `arranged` withinl each body in abutting relationt9' the shoulders One end of4 each-detent,means is.preierably providedwithia struck out pottion 33 which is, adapted to l:9110i ect ,intot-hxt reduced r emity 3|, and, cooperatewith the efplugm'f conductor'terminal receiving r'omfa strip o f` sheet metal which" V`receivingfaperture formed vby the sulator functions to pilot the bridgemember into 44 in an erect position between the contacts, a

, disc of insulating material 46 is preferably logroove 'formed-in theterminal,l A, helical spring` 34 is, arranged ineach body,with, one endengage` 'inghQ-SWltch backand the vother endreceived L by the-detent-means 32 whereby to normally maintaineach detent in the position shown.

Eachof the terminal receiving means 5 and 8 may besecured in anysuitable manner to the switch-bacini. but Iashere shown, the channelportion 2 .8 of each contact means is provided witl;1' a,continuation-35 that yis adapted to project into a ,hole provided vthereforinthe switch back as clearly shown in Figure 2.-v Each of thechannelportions 28and 29 `has an outwardly extending -foot- 36 that isvadapted .tobear 4against the outer. face'of the switch back, and each ofthe channel portions 29 has an additional foot 31 thatengagessaidsurface, all of which is clearly shown in Figures 11, 2,-and-3. Each of the channel portions 28 and 29j. is further provided withan elongated integral projection 38, which extends throughY an Aapertureprovided therefor in the switch back and through a notch 39, provided inthe base 40 of each of the spring contacts 8 and 9, and is clinched overupon said base. It is to be noted that each body has three feet extend--ing outwardly from three sides thereof at desirable points. By thisarrangement, the receiving means 5 and B are rmly anchored in an erectcated within'the casing, and the enlarged helical spring I2 is adaptedto force the disc 46 against that portion of the lower extremity of theactuator. that projects above the base 26`of the lockingV means;

41,'provided in the disc.

Any suitable locking means may be whereby to hold the switch in relationto the instrument panel, but as here shown, the locking'means 3 ispreferably constructed as shown,

andis comprised of the base 26, and a pair .of ntegra] resilient arms.48, which are providedwth camv portions 49, that cooperate with thearrises 5 0 of the notches 5| lformed in the panel to prevent rotationof the switch. By this arrangement, the arms 48, are pressed toward theswitch casing when the switch is being inserted into the aperture ,2 ofthe instrument panel, and when it is moved to a position whereby theange |5 engages the outer face of the instrument panel, th'e spring armssnap outwardly to the position most clearly shown in Figure 1, and holdthe switch in place. A

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousmodifications may be made in the same without departing from the spiritof the invention; and, therefore, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting. myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement, and.combination of parts, herein shown anddescribed. Moreover, it is to beunderstood that the term switch back is not only directed to a contactcarrier which closes off the .open end of a switch casing, but alsoapplies to any form of contact carrier. In order to make this perfectlyclear the open end of the switch casing may be closed by a metal closuremember and the closure member may be provided with an aperture of a sizeto receive a piece of insulation to which is secured contacts adapted tobe engaged by a bridge means associated with the switching mechanism.

The spring'contacts`- 8 and 9, invcluding the insulator. project throughan opening employed I claim:

1. A switch back, contacts securedto `and extending from said back, anupstanding insulator and beyond the free ends of said resilient .por-

tions, a push button carried by the forward ex'- tremity of said casing,a bridge carrier mounted l within said push button, a bridge membercarried by said bridge carrier, a washer of insulating material arrangedin the opposite extremity of said casing, a spring abutting said bridgecarrier and said washer whereby to normally maintain said push buttonin'an extended position with said bridge member normally out ofengagement with said resilient portions and functioning to hold saidinsulator in relation to said contact carrier.

3. A switch back provided with a plurality of spacedapart contacts,apertures provided in said switch back, an upstanding insulator mountedon said back between said contacts and provided with portionscooperating with said apertures, a substantially flat insulator engagingsaid upstandlng insulator, and means including a spring engaging said atinsulator whereby to press and hold said upstanding insulator inrelation to said switch back.

4. A contact carrier for a switch provided with a plurality of spacedapart contacts, an upstand ing insulator loosely mounted on saidmounting carrier between said contacts, a` substantially flat insulatorengaging said upstanding insulator and means including a spring forpressing and hold` ing said upstanding insulator in relation to saidcarrier.

5. A switch including in combination, a casing, a carrier of insulatingmaterial secured to said casing, contact means adapted to haveconductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided with`spaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, aninsulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between andbeyond the free ends of said resilient portions, a push button carriedby the forward extremity of said casing, a bridge carrier mounted onsaid push button, a bridge member carried by said bridge carrier andreceiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring abutting said bridgecarrier and arranged to normally maintain said push button in anextended position with said bridge member normally out of engagementwith said resilient portions and also functioning to hold said insulatorin relation to said contact carrier.

6. A switch including in combination, a casing, a carrier ofinsulatingmaterial secured to said casing, contact means adapted to haveconductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided withspaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, aninsulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between andbeyond the free ends of said resilient pori tions, a bridge carrierarranged in said casing, a

bridge member mounted on said bridge carrier and receiving a portion ofsaid insulator, and a spring arranged within said casing functioning tonormally maintain said bridge member out of engagement with saidresilient portions and to hold said insulator in relation to saidcontact carrier.

7. A switch `including in combination, a casing,

a carrier of insulating materiall secured to said casing, contact meansadapted to have conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier andprovided with spaced apart resilient portions `projecting into saidcasing,an insulatorv loosely mounted on said carrier. andrextend'ingVbetween and beyond the ,freeends of said resilientporl tions, a push`button `carried by the,` f orwardrextremity ofsaid casing. abridgecarriermounted onl said push button, a bridge membencarr-ied-bysaid bridge carrier, a compressed spring abuttingsaid bridge carrierwhereby to `normallymaintain said push button in an extended positionwith said bridgernember 4normally out o'fA engagement withsaidresilient'portions and functioning to hold saiduinsulator in relation tosaid .contact I carrier. j 8. A switch including incom button in anextended position with said bridge member in a predetermined positionwith respect to said contact portions and hold said insulator inrelation to said contact carrier. l

9. A switch including in combination, a casing a carrier of insulatingmaterial secured to said casing, contact means adapted to haveconductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and provided withspaced apart resilient portions pro--` jecting into said casing, aninsulator mounted on said carrier and extending between and beyond thefree ends of said resilient portions, a push button carried by theforward extremity of said casing, a bridge-carrier mounted on said pushbutton, a tubular bridge member carried by said bridge carrier andreceiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring abutting said bridgecarrier and arranged to normally maintain said push button in anextended postion with said bridge member normally out of engagement withsaid resilient portions.

l0. A switch including in combination, a casing, a` carrier ofinsulating material secured to said casing, contact means adapted tohave conductors secured thereto mounted on said carrier and providedwith spaced apart resilient portions projecting into said casing, aninsulator loosely mounted on said carrier and extending between andbeyond the free ends of said resilient portions, a bridge carrierarranged in said casing, a tubular bridge member mounted on saidbridgecarrier and receiving a portion of said insulator, and a spring arrangedwithin said casing functioning to normally maintain said bridge memberin a predetermined relatio'n with respect to said resilient portions andhold said insulator in relation to said contact carrier.

11. An electric switch including, a tubular casing, a carrier carryingcontacts secured toone v brnuon a casing] a carrier of insulatingmaterial secured to said end of said casing, insulating means arrangedin said casing over said contacts, operating means supporting a carriercarrying a tubular bridge member', said carrier being arrangedtransverse to the longitudinal axis of the casing to position the axisof the bridge member in alignment with said longitudinal axis, andresilient means engaging said insulating means to prevent electricalengagement between said resilient means and said contacts.

12. An electric switch including, a tubular casing, a carrier carryingcontacts secured to one end of said casing, insluating means arranged insaid casing over said contacts, operating means supporting a carriercarrying a tubular bridge member, said carrier being arranged transverseto the longitudinal axis of the casing to position the axis oi thebridge member in alignment with said longitudinal axis, and resilientmeans engaging said insulating means to prevent electrical engagementbetween said resilient means and said contacts, said resilient meansalso acting to press said operating means outwardly to predetermine theposition of the bridge with respect to said contacts.

13. A mounting plate, a tubular casing secured to said plate with aportion of the plate extending into the casing to provide an abutment, acarrier carrying contacts secured to one end of said casing, insulatingmeans arranged in said casing over said contacts, operating meansprojecting through the other end of said casing, said operating meanshaving an enlargement supporting a carrier carryinga tubular bridgemember, said carrier being arranged transverse to the longitudinal axisof the casing to position the axis of the bridge member in alignmentwith said longitudinal axis, and resilient means engaging saidinsulating means to prevent electrical engagement between said resilientymeans and said contacts, said resilient means also functioning to presssaid operating means outwardly whereby the enlargement thereof engagesthe abutment from that part of the mounting plate disposed in the casingto predetermine the position of the bridge with respect to saidcontacts.

' WILLIAM M. FOSTER.

